Have you ever felt like you needed to ask God’s forgiveness for something you were about to do that you were pretty sure wasn’t right? You might have felt awkward, but you’re not the first to do so.
After Elisha the prophet declined a “thank-you gift” from Naaman (an Aramean commander), once God had healed Naaman after he followed Elisha’s instructions (see 2 Kings 5:15), we find a sort of “personal testimony” from Naaman. While he may not have fully understood what it meant to worship the God of Israel, he was committed to serve Him. In 2 Kings 5:17, Naaman asked for some “earth” (i.e., soil or dirt) to take home with him to Aram.
It sounds like the soil that Naaman took was to be used for worship. In an era where various gods were believed to be tied to the land or geographic features, it makes sense that Naaman would associate the physical earth from Israel with God. He probably intended to build an altar on (or with) this earth when he got back to Aram, where he could worship God the best that he knew how.
Let’s read the next part of Naaman’s comments, though.
But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this.”
2 Kings 5:18 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.5.18.NIV
Naaman asked for forgiveness in advance, knowing that he would be expected to take the king of Aram to a pagan temple. And, rather than judging him, Elisha bid Naaman well (see verse 19).
I think that we would do well to remember this example, but rather than using this as an excuse to sin because we have received forgiveness through Jesus Christ, I’d like to consider how Naaman’s example might impact how we look at others.
For instance, there are people trying to worship God in the best way that they can, but with a background formed by human opinions and false ideas. These people don’t need our condemnation for not worshiping God “correctly”. Instead, they could use our grace and our help. Sometimes, I think that God is working in them in his own way, and accepting their best efforts. While salvation can only be obtained through Jesus Christ, when we consider how other people are worshiping God or trying to follow Jesus in ways that don’t seem quite right, let’s recognize where they are starting from and be compassionate to them, then ask God if – and how – we should help them learn more from His Word.
There are also people in this world who feel “stuck” in bad situations. Let’s not be too quick to judge those who we see in the wrong places, doing the wrong things, or hanging out with the wrong people. For one thing, our first check should be whether we’re judging them for actually doing something sinful, or for merely not following our own personal preferences or legalistic rules.
Even when they are sinning, though, some people feel like they haven’t been given any viable alternatives. For instance…
- There are prostitutes and exotic dancers who don’t want that job, but need to eat or to provide for their family, and no one has offered them a viable alternative.
- There are those who hang out in bad locations (and get pulled into bad habits, as a result) because that’s where they work, or all their friends are there, or that’s the only place they can get to with their current transportation.
- There are those who are taken to modern temples of false gods by family members, and aren’t given a choice.
These aren’t “bad people” for us to judge. Some of them truly love Jesus, and are asking Him for help to find a way out of their current situation. All of them are human beings, created in the image of God. Many need someone – like you and me – to provide them with a practical alternative. Asking, telling, or expecting them to just “fix their own situation” (when that is beyond their current knowledge and abilities) is downright mean, and self-righteous condemnation like that implies that we have no role in helping them out.
So, how do we sort out sin that needs to be corrected from someone who is doing their best? I don’t think that we can fairly judge – or even help – certain other people without first reaching out, having conversations, and building relationships with those who aren’t like us. That can be uncomfortable, but, as the title of a certain book on evangelism said, sometimes we need to “just walk across the room”. Maybe we need to cross the street, go to the other side of the tracks, or take a trip where we wouldn’t normally frequent. Then, once we understand others’ situations, we can begin to help them.
Yes, we are called to follow Jesus’ commandments, and we should try to not sin, but when we really look at how He spent His ministry on earth, there are probably more people we could be reaching out to than we are today (even if you are doing a pretty good job of that, already).
So, who is a “Naaman” in your life today? Do they need your help and your compassion, rather than preconceived judgment? If so, consider having a gracious conversation, and maybe you’ll be surprised where God leads them…and you!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 29, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 & 2 Kings, by Jesse C. Long, Jr. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
- Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Matthew Henry. 1706, via BibleGateway.com.
Those Who Sin Differently 